# Stern Reruns Iron Man

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2014-06-12  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/news/ironman.html

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball announces Iron Man Pro Vault Edition, a re-run of their 2010 Iron Man game with modern manufacturing upgrades including full LED lighting, updated backbox design, one-piece character figures, and decal artwork. Priced at $5,495, this marks the first official 'Vault Edition' release and signals Stern's strategy to capitalize on classic title remakes, following industry trends started by Planetary Pinball Supply's Medieval Madness remake.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Iron Man Pro Vault Edition will feature full LED lighting, new backbox/speaker panel design, one-piece character figures, and decal artwork — _Official Stern press release; specific technical upgrades listed_
- [HIGH] Vault Edition introduces the 'Pro' naming convention retroactively to a 2010 game, leaving door open for future Limited Edition variant — _Article states 'introducing the Pro naming, even though Iron Man was originally produced before the Pro and LE variants were introduced'_
- [MEDIUM] Stern reopened its second production line at Melrose Park factory, suitable for short-run Vault Editions without impacting new title production — _Article notes line was 'recently rebooted' and 'it is thought it will be used to make the Medieval Madness games'_
- [HIGH] Gary Stern (CEO) states 'Operators tell us Iron Man is a great earning pinball game, and enthusiasts tell us it's a great playing game. We didn't make enough.' — _Direct quote from official press release explaining rationale for re-release_
- [MEDIUM] Medieval Madness remakes will be manufactured by Stern for Chicago Gaming Company and are expected to be first of a series of popular title remakes — _Article references PPS/Planetary Pinball Supply initiative and speculation about future remakes (Big Bang Bar, Kingpin)_

### Notable Quotes

> "Operators tell us Iron Man is a great earning pinball game, and enthusiasts tell us it's a great playing game. We didn't make enough."
> — **Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball**, Press release, June 12, 2014
> _Articulates both operator and player demand as justification for re-release; positions Vault concept as response to market demand_

> "Look for future Stern Vault Editions."
> — **Stern Pinball (via press release)**, June 12, 2014
> _Signals Vault concept is planned as an ongoing product line, not one-off release_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball | company | World's largest pinball manufacturer; headquartered near Chicago; announcing Vault Edition product line |
| Gary Stern | person | Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball; quoted on market demand for Iron Man re-release |
| Iron Man (2010 original) | game | Original Stern Marvel-licensed pinball game from 2010 based on Iron Man/Iron Man 2 films; being re-released as Vault Edition |
| Iron Man Pro Vault Edition | product | Re-run of 2010 Iron Man with LED lighting, modern backbox, one-piece figures, decal artwork; $5,495 MSRP; first official Vault Edition |
| Medieval Madness | game | Classic pinball title being remade by Planetary Pinball Supply/Chicago Gaming Company; cited as catalyst for broader remake trend |
| Planetary Pinball Supply (PPS) | company | Initiated recent round of classic title remakes with Medieval Madness; Matt Christiano purchased Illinois Pinball, speculated to enable future remakes |
| Chicago Gaming Company | company | Contracted to manufacture Medieval Madness remakes for Planetary Pinball Supply |
| Stern Vault | product | New product line/concept for re-releasing classic Stern titles with modern manufacturing upgrades; Iron Man is first official release |
| Melrose Park factory | company | Stern Pinball's manufacturing facility; second production line recently rebooted for Vault Editions and short-run titles |
| Vault Edition | product | Product tier introducing Pro naming retroactively; positioned as remake/re-run of classic title with modern upgrades |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Classic title remakes and re-releases, Stern Vault product line strategy, Manufacturing upgrades (LED, backbox, figures, decals)
- **Secondary:** Pro/Premium/LE naming and tier structure, Production capacity and supply line management, Operator vs. collector demand dynamics
- **Mentioned:** Industry pricing trends

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.75) — Announcement presents Vault concept favorably as response to market demand. Tone is business-focused and strategic. No criticism of product or approach. Pricing ($5,495) positioned as accessible entry point compared to contemporary new releases.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** Vault concept described as response to 'numerous requests from the pinball community' and operator feedback ('great earning' and 'great playing' game) (confidence: high) — Press release states 'After numerous requests from the pinball community'; Gary Stern quote on operator/enthusiast demand
- **[competitive_signal]** Stern positioning Vault Editions as response to industry trend of classic title remakes initiated by Planetary Pinball Supply/Chicago Gaming Medieval Madness project (confidence: high) — Article directly attributes remake trend to PPS's Medieval Madness initiative; speculates about future remakes (Big Bang Bar, Kingpin) following same model
- **[market_signal]** Stern reopening second production line at Melrose Park factory to support short-run Vault Editions without impacting new title production (confidence: medium) — Article states line 'recently rebooted' and is 'thought' to be suitable for Vault Editions; suggests production capacity expansion
- **[announcement]** Stern officially announces Iron Man Pro Vault Edition as first release in new Vault product line for classic title re-releases (confidence: high) — Official June 12, 2014 press release with specific technical specs, pricing, and CEO quote
- **[product_strategy]** Iron Man Pro Vault Edition differentiated through modern manufacturing upgrades (full LED, new backbox design, one-piece figures, decal artwork) at lower $5,495 price point vs. new releases (confidence: high) — Press release lists specific technical upgrades; $5,495 MSRP positioned as accessible entry point
- **[business_signal]** Vault Edition concept introduces retroactive Pro naming and leaves door open for future Limited Edition variants of classic titles (confidence: high) — Press release explicitly states 'introducing the Pro naming' despite original 2010 release predating Pro/LE tiers; article notes 'leaves the door open for a possible Limited Edition version'

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## Transcript

Date: 12th June, 2014

Stern Pinball has announced that the company will be re-running their Iron Man title from 2010 in what could be the first of a number   of classic title remakes.

Stern's Iron Man translite

The re-run will be called Iron Man Pro Vault Edition, introducing the Pro naming, even though Iron Man was originally produced before the Pro and LE variants were introduced. This also leaves the door open for a possible Limited Edition version in the future.

Stern says the Vault Edition will feature a number of changes, including full LED lighting, the use of Stern's new style of backbox and speaker panel, and one-piece models of the Iron Monger, Whiplash and War Machine characters. The cabinet will also use decals for the side and backbox artwork rather than the original's screen printing.

Remakes of classic titles have become increasingly popular of late, with Planetary Pinball Supply starting the most recent round with their Medieval Madness remakes. That title - to be manufactured by Stern for Chicago Gaming - is expected to be the first of a series of popular titles, while the recent announcement of PPS's Matt Christiano purchasing Illinois Pinball has led to speculation that remakes of Big Bang Bar or Kingpin could follow.

Stern have recently rebooted their second production line at their Melrose Park factory. This has been used in the past to make consumer versions of their full-size titles, as well as redemption and video games, and it is thought it will be used to make the Medieval Madness games. It would also be suitable for making short-run Vault Editions without impacting on production of their latest new title.

Stern's suggested price for Iron Man Pro Vault Edition is $5,495. Here's how they announced the remake.

Stern Pinball Opens its Vault to Reintroduce Iron Man Pinball

World’s Leading Maker of Arcade-Quality Pinball Games Announces First Stern Vault Release With Iron Man Pro

MELROSE PARK, IL – June 12, 2014 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games, announced today it is opening the Stern Vault for re-release of Iron Man™ Pro. The Iron Man pinball machine features visuals, speech, music and sound effects from the Marvel blockbuster films Iron Man and Iron Man 2. After numerous requests from the pinball community, Stern is re- introducing this exceptional game.

Originally released in 2010, the Iron Man Pro model continues to bring the battle between billionaire industrialist, Tony Zac Stark/Iron Man, and his enemies to the fingertips and flippers of pinball players. With non-stop action, Iron Man Pro Vault Edition heightens the excitement, bringing back a classic game for players of any age and skill level.

Iron Man Pro Vault Edition features technological and manufacturing upgrades utilized by Stern in its current Pro models.  Among the improvements is all-LED playfield lighting.  Iron Man is manufactured with Stern’s updated modern metal and wood backbox with red t-molding and with a decaled cabinet and speaker housing.  The Iron Monger, War Machine and Whiplash figures have been molded in one-piece construction for improved strength.

“Operators tell us Iron Man is a great earning pinball game, and enthusiasts tell us it’s a great playing game.  We didn’t make enough,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball.

Look for future Stern Vault Editions.

Pricing and Availability:  Pro Version:  $5,495 (MSRP)

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games in the world. Stern’s highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball
games, merchandise and accessories.  Recent Stern titles include Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman and many more!  All of Stern’s pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern’s expert team.  Both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe enjoy Stern’s games.  For more information, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

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_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 22d1c401-5f9b-4c6a-ab4a-7f5eeb8dc3f2*